Economic Development & Higher Education

Economic Development and Higher Education

The institutions of higher education in West Virginia provide a variety of direct services to business and industry. During the 1995 legislative session the West Virginia Legislature enacted Senate Bill 547 which charges the public colleges and universities within the state to be change agents to propel and sustain economic and community development. The act specifically establishes expectations for the community and technical colleges within the state to assume a leadership role in workforce development.

Forms of assistance which West Virginia's colleges and universities can provide to businesses and industries include:

• Programs and classes at all levels on business sites;
• Marketing, studies;
• Access to college facilities including laboratory equipment, libraries, satellite downlink sites, and computer systems;
• Specialized employee training or professional development;
• Business start-up assistance and management development;
• Consultation and technical assistance; and
• Research and development of products and processes.

Other Business Assistance Centers

Other important Centers which have been assisting businesses include the Center for Economic Research (West Virginia University), the Institute for Public Affairs (West Virginia University), the Institute for International Trade Development (Marshall University), the Institute for Business Development (Marshall University), the Center for Economic Action (Concord College), the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies (West Virginia University), and the Energy Research Center (West Virginia University).